Boniface, Joash, Kahata and Mbish in action as Kenya lose to Swazis
It was an ignominous start to the local career of coach Sebastian Migne as he led his lackluster charges Harambee Stars to a 0-1 loss to lowly Swaziland.
Gor Mahia provided more players than any other team with Boniface Oluoch starting between the posts along with Joash Onyango, Philemon Otieno “Mbish” and Francis Kahata. Meanwhile Humphrey Mieno started on the bench.
Also in action were former Kogalo players Eric Ouma, Musa Mohamed and Timothy Otieno
Additional reporting from the Nation
Signs of sloppiness were evident early on as Stars struggled to string passes together in the opening 20 minutes while the visitors sat back and waited to pounce on the counter.
Goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch almost cost the team in the 18th minute when he left his line early but failed to get to the ball, allowing Felix Bedenhorst to take a dangerous shot which missed the target.
Kahata made inroads into the Swaziland defence in the 20th minute, but took too long to pull the trigger before Swaziland defender Lindo Mkhonta intervened.
Ovella had the best chance of the first half on 27 minutes, but his shot was saved by Swaziland custodian Sandanezwe Machabela.
A header from Whyvonne Isuza in the 35th minute also got the few fans on their feet in anticipation, but missed the target.
After the goalless first half, Stars resorted to long balls in search for a breakthrough.
Second half substitute Pistone Mutamba, on for Philemon Otieno, beat his marker on the left wing but his thunderbolt went over the bar.
Ovella Ochieng had a chance to give the hosts the lead from a free-kick on 68 minutes, with his shot forcing Machabela into a fingertip save to avert danger. All this time, the visitors sat back and watched.
Nhleko then punished the Stars’ lethargic backline after he was set through on goal, before beating Oluoch with a low shot.
The goal seemed to have roused the hosts, as they began to attack with more purpose afterwards. Mutamba’s header with seven minutes to go came crushing off the crossbar much to the chagrin of the few home fans.
“Playing away and against a big team like Kenya was very difficult for us and I am satisfied with the single goal. We were lucky to have won, but a draw would have been a more fair result because the game was quite balanced. Otherwise, this has been very good preparation for us as we head to the Cosafa tourney,” said Swaziland coach Siza Dlamini.
Signs of sloppiness were evident early on as Stars struggled to string passes together in the opening 20 minutes while the visitors sat back and waited to pounce on the counter.
Goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch almost cost the team in the 18th minute when he left his line early but failed to get to the ball, allowing Felix Bedenhorst to take a dangerous shot which missed the target.
Kahata made inroads into the Swaziland defence in the 20th minute, but took too long to pull the trigger before Swaziland defender Lindo Mkhonta intervened.
Ovella had the best chance of the first half on 27 minutes, but his shot was saved by Swaziland custodian Sandanezwe Machabela.
A header from Whyvonne Isuza in the 35th minute also got the few fans on their feet in anticipation, but missed the target.
After the goalless first half, Stars resorted to long balls in search for a breakthrough.
Second half substitute Pistone Mutamba, on for Philemon Otieno, beat his marker on the left wing but his thunderbolt went over the bar.
Ovella Ochieng had a chance to give the hosts the lead from a free-kick on 68 minutes, with his shot forcing Machabela into a fingertip save to avert danger. All this time, the visitors sat back and watched.
Nhleko then punished the Stars’ lethargic backline after he was set through on goal, before beating Oluoch with a low shot.
The goal seemed to have roused the hosts, as they began to attack with more purpose afterwards. Mutamba’s header with seven minutes to go came crushing off the crossbar much to the chagrin of the few home fans.
“Playing away and against a big team like Kenya was very difficult for us and I am satisfied with the single goal. We were lucky to have won, but a draw would have been a more fair result because the game was quite balanced. Otherwise, this has been very good preparation for us as we head to the Cosafa tourney,” said Swaziland coach Siza Dlamini.
Harambee Stars Starting XI: Boniface Oluoch (GK), Jockins Atudo, Erick Ouma, Michael Kibwage, Joash Onyango, Duncan Otieno, Patillah Omotto, Philemon Otieno, Francis Kahata, Whyvone Isuza, Ovella Ochieng.
Subs: Patrick Matasi (GK), Timothy Odhiambo (GK), Humphrey Mieno, Marvin Nabwire, Chrispin Oduor, Jaffary Owiti, Mutamba Pistone, Musa Mohamed, Wasambo Vincent, Timothy Otieno, Shakava Harun.
Swaziland Starting XI: Sandanezwe Mathabela, Lindo Mkhonta, Wandie Maseko, Banele Dlamini, Siboniso Ngwenya, Mandia Palma, Xolani Sibandze, Njabulo Ndlovu, Barry Stenkamp, Felix Bendenhorst, Tony Tsabedze,
Subs: Nhlanhla Gwebu, Phumani Dlamini, Sihlangu Mkhwanazi, Zweli Nxumalo, Wonder Nhleko, Sifiso Mazibuko, Bonginkosi Dlamini, Phiwayinkosi Dlamini, Musa Dalamini.
Why this story, admin how should we comment on this commedy trying to pass as football, where is this Swaziland? Aren’t they more known for their teen girls reed dances than anything else, never heard about them in football until yesterday
Goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch almost cost the team in the 18th minute when he left his line early but failed to get to the ball, allowing Felix Bedenhorst to take a dangerous shot which missed the target.
Bonnie’s erraticness extends beyond GM i see but he must stop those silly mistakes and being aloof at goal.All said HS can go nowhere i long ago accepted the painful truth that our national team is a useless outfit not worth wasting precious time being patriotic about period…My opinion My choice…Harambee Stars bure siku zote
Wow!
A mother however ugly is still a mother! No anger, frustration can change that.
The most important thing is to improve the league and unearth more young raw talent. With proper nurturing and investment in club infrastructure, then Kenya will go places.
More appearances on the continental club competitions consecutively will also up the level of the game in Kenya.
Grassroots development of the game is critical!
Admin, stop posting Harambee Stars stuff here. Being beaten by a team of Swazi calibre at home is the poorest start to a national team. Okumbi did better because he beat the likes of Congo away.
Bonny leaving his line to go for the ball then failing to reach it is the exact repeat of what he did against Sofapaka. Anyway let me save my energy for Gor Mahia, this Harambee Stars team is not worth my salt.
@jasego… perhaps we should give the new coach the benefit of doubt.
Let’s see what he does with the players at his disposal and give him another few games before we can judge him and them fully.
Harambee stars could end up with 8 Gor players in the first 11 like in the 80’s and we may have no choice but to support them 100%…hehe..though that is wishful thinking!!
Oswozo i have no beef with the coach at all.All am saying is even if we bring in Zinadine Zidane or Jurgen Klopp who are facing off tonight to Coach Harambee Stars we can still go Nowhere.Problem us not the coach but Harambee Stars maybe we should change the Name of the National Team for better luck…
I was at Machakos and whatever the reporter says about Oluoch almost costing the team is news to me. Infact he saved the team a goal after Kibwage had gifted a Swazi player the ball. Oluoch is casual at times but it seems he has become everybody’s punching bag which i feel is a bit hatsh. In the KPL he is the keeper who has conceded the fewest goals and that counts for something. Then this Joash guy continues to amaze me. Makes very basic mistakes at times then becomes the best defender I have watched in a long time.Against Swaziland he was the best player on the pitch by far. Congrats Joash ‘Punde Chalre’. And does sitting on the bench constitute being in action? Because Musa and Timothy never played a minute!!
Hehe Musymo how did our impending signing Ovella Ochieng perform?If Musa Mohammed is benched by Joash “Punda Chalre” as you have christened him then weche opira tek wuod maa…
Hehe….I have borrowed the nickname from one Stock Obange who used to play as aggresively for Sony back in the day. They also have the same demeanour. Kuon over style. Ka iseneno kaka Joash chikore to you will understand. Back to Joash, he played like a wounded soldier and defended brilliantly. I always lambast him here but there seems he has something Kerr sees and now Minyoo. I guess I may just be subjective.
As for Ovella his talent is not in question, terrorized defenders at will but needs to stop being selfish…he overdoes his stuff at times where giving a pass earlier would give a better product!!
sounds like innocent wafula to me…
After flopping in Albania with Fk Tirana, Musa can no longer challenge our no nonsense Joash unless he employs other peculiar means. After all why recycle a used up material who even refused Gor the transfer fee by insisting to leave as a free agent.Let him continue licking his wounds.
and how did the returnee eric ‘marcelo ‘ ouma perform ? any player ratings from those who attended……….
Marcelo was fantastic but looked a bit rusty and not at his Gor Mahia best. Still one of the top performers. I think it was the system. He thrives in the quick lightening play Nuttal style. Migne plays the slow build up, patient back-pass filled Ze Maria style. Player ratings to we odhi gi buya. The last time i gave an Harambee Stars player ratings here jobura moko cited me for being irrelevant!!!
We are playing at Mbaraki tomorrow. Mombasa is wet with lots of rain. The playing surface is muddy and soggy. Last time our boys played in the rain and caught flu. They are likely to play in the rain again against SS Assad. This time it will be Chikungunya. Take necessary precaution, but one thing please let us not underrate SS Assad. They could embarrass us.
Hehe ikoo ni chikungunya nyale?
Wife of kungunya Biro mako jotugo! Mayoooo Mombasa raha!!!!!
Ovella to quench the forward drought and people hear are happy about it when the likes of al hilal are going for ulimwengu and such…. we are left struggling with jausenge and the likes …question must be asked …what is ovella coming to add to the squad .. quality or quantity for which if quantity i will 100% support but interms of quality we got to do better… we need a wanga kind of guy upfront mensah kind of guy in the middle of the park and musa back…his a valuable add… even Dan can be brought back to the fold but we don’t seat and say ovella is coming to quench the drought in our forward line .2 forwards 2mid 1cb can do the trick but that can only be a statement of intent on the competition if we really want to get to semis or finals tho lessons still will be learned the hard way..
I agree with the description @Musymo has given of Ovella , but left hanging , it fits with @Jasego’s concurrence on the similarities with Innocent Wafula , my point of departure with the similarities is that Ovello has a football brain and his artistry minus the selfishness that seeks to impress the heart rather than the mind, I feel he would be a fitting addition to the team plus he is a very good free kick taker .
Its also my opinion that we are yet to retrieve all the advantages we had when we still had Olunga , Olunga gave the team all the options , be it from the crosses , the ability to hold the ball , guard it , draw other players into space , shoot , control thereby making Marcelo’s and Nzigimana’s crosses worthwhile , Ayucho’s drive from the midfield worthwhile or even the goalkeeper’s kicks meaningful , As to what we have right now , Tuisenge or even Guikan dont have that context , they are kinda one dimensional thereby limiting the options the team have and this is what we have to factor in when recruiting another striker , the question is , is that type of a player available locally considering our foriegn quota .
Lastly this Joash Onyango is a very good old school defender , he only has to maintain his concentration for 90minutes , I think his face makes people to be a bit hard on him , On Shakava I feel he is overated, too one dimentional for my liking, we need competition in this area .
We need Marcello at left full back .
Mieno , kahata and Philmon can man the midfield
SS Assad 1 – K’Ogalo 5
Scorers
Lawrence Juma 1st, 2nd
Walusimbi 3rd
Lukewarm 4th
Jausenge 5th.
Bad injury for Jausenge. He may be out for a while. Assad goal a Mathare United kind of free kick. Poorly arranged wall. Playing surface not bad. Weather was good, no rain. Our deficiency upfront very very evident.
@barefoot, what then is the excuse for not
….for not hitting a cricket like score line, which we all expected !
As usual the team was stable and purposeful in the first 30 minutes. K14 totally lacking confidence and completely out of the game. Second half was shambolic, the team was shaky and panicky hence the conceded goal. Without consistent display there can be no cricket scoreline. Resting of K14 steadied the ship somewhat.
Will K14 survive the impending arrival of ovella? I doubt the guy is not Gor type,should be loaned back to Police and eventually shown the door.